Reflecting indicator



March 29, 1927.

C. G. M LEAN REFLECTING INDICATOR 1 Filed NOV. I 10, 1921 Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES,

1,622,958 PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE GARFIELD McLEA N, OE WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

' anrmcrme names-r03.

Application filed November 10, 1921. Serial No. 514,269.

This invention relates to reflecting indicators and particularly to that type of reflecting indicators which is illuminated by the light proceeding from an extraneous source.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a reflecting indicator of this type which is universal in character, so that it will reveal its presence to a erson carrying or accompanying a source 0 light the beam from which is directed toward said reflecting indicator, regardless of the direction of location of said source of light from the reflecting indicator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a reflecting indicator adapted to be placed at the intersection of two highways, or at the point of crossing of intersecting streams of vehicular traffic or on the fences or posts on the sides of highways to warn drivers of dangerous turns, said reflectin indicator being constructed to reflect bac in the general direction of the source from which it emanates, the light" from the head lamps of vehicles, regardless of their direction of approach', so as to reveal the resence of said reflecting indicator to t e drivers or operators of said vehicles. V v

80 Still another object of the invention is the construction of a reflecting member having a concave longitudinal 4 reflecting surface formed by the revolution of-a curved line about the longitudinalaxis of said member,

as and which may be used as a universal refleeting indicator to throw back in the general direction from which it emanates the light proceeding from a source loca d in any direction from said member.

A further object of the invention is the provision iOf a reflecting member having a concave'longitudinal surface such as has been above described which is secured for rotatable adjustment in a tail lamp having '45 a'transparent window, so that a new portion of the reflecting surface may be turned toward said window from time to time when the old portion of said reflecting surface has deteriorated due to excessive polishing etc. With the aboveand other objects in view, my invention consists in th'e 1m roved reflecting'indicator illustrated in t e accompanying drawings, described in the following s cification, and particularly claimed, 55 and in such variations and modifications thereof as be obvious-to those slnlled in the art to which my invention relates;

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, and wherein the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in cross section showing my improved reflecting indicator, enclosed in a transparent globe.

F'gure 2 is a cross sectional view through the reflecting-member itself.

Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2 taken from beneath, as shown by the arrow.

In the drawings and referring particularly to Figure 2, the numeral 1.represents an element. of circular cross section formed of any suitable material, the longitudinal walls of which are concave as shown at 2 and lie in a surface which is generated by the revolution of a curved line about the longitudinal axis of said element. The concave longitudinal surface of the elementl is preferably silver-plated or may be coated with sheet metal or other substance having a highly reflective surface as shown at The top surface of the element 1 is made convex and is also covered with a reflecting coating 4. At the lower end of said element is a screw threaded stud 5 by which the reflecting member is mounted upon the globe fixturefi shown in Figure 1.

This globe fixture is adapted to be mounted upon or-is an inte al part of a post which is usually set at t e intersection of two highways or where two intersecting streams of vehicular traffic cross so as to serve as a si nal in order to avoid collisions and traflic delays. The upper side of the globe. 7 rests upon a washer 8, the purpose of which is tomake the inside of said'globe moisture proof. The flange 9 ar ses from the outer edge of the recessed portlon of the globe fixture 6 through which projects the threaded bolt 10 which engages thev flanged mouth 11 of the globe, holding the latter in sition relative 'to said globe fixture. l i'om the center of said globe fixture arises the boss 12 having a screw-threaded socket 13 in which the threaded stud 5 of the reflecting member is received. Wrench flats.

14 machined on the lower portion of the element 1 of the reflecting member afford means for removing. and replacing the same.

The reflecting member presents a reflecting surface in all directions so that the light from a vehicle or vehicles approaching said member from any direction Wlll be thrown ios back into the field of vision of the driver or drivers of said vehicles. As will be obvious from the description said member is not selfilluminating but de )ends solely upon the light thrown upon it irom an extraneous source. such as the head lamp of an automobile, for the revelation of its presence to the operato of said vehicle.

The concave surface of the reflecting member has the effect of bringing more or less to a focus the light thrown upon it, intensifying the reflected beam and thus making it the more readily observable.

The convex top surface of the member 1 serves to reflect light thrown thereon from above the same. as by a street light.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the form and relation of parts to suit different requirements of use. and that the invention, therefore, is not limited to the precise details of construction and arrangement shown.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A reflecting indicator comprising a casing comprising a transparent member and having mounted therein a reflecting member and consisting of an elongated hour-glassshaped body with the opposite enlarged ends of substantially uniform dimensions, the outer concave surface of the body continuing regularly towards the enlarged ends from a central diametrically reduced portion of the body, one enlarged extremity of the body having a convex contour and the opposite extremity being reduced and provided with securing means, the concave surface of the body and convex end being provided with reflecting means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CLARENCE GARFIELD MoLEAN. 

